Elmcroft of Halls to celebrate 20 years

Holly White works in the business office at Elmcroft of Halls, and two of her grandparents are residents there. In fact, several employees at the assisted living and memory care facility have family members who are residents, and it’s that community, family feel that contributes to Elmcroft’s charm.

“I feel like it’s more about what’s on the inside than what’s on the outside,” said White. “I love it here.”

Elmcroft opened in Halls back in 1998, and on Saturday, Sept. 15, staff and residents invite the community to celebrate 20 years of love and care with a fall festival set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a bounce house for the kids, carnival games, live music, food and a pie-eating contest. The whole event will be wheelchair-accessible, and there will be fun activities for memory care residents and their visitors, too.

“We want it to be something they can bring their kids to, but also bring their grandparents,” said sales director Marianne Hitchcox. “I think Elmcroft has a really strong role in the community. We love being part of the Halls community.”

All are invited, including families of residents past and present, volunteers and friends.

Elmcroft’s assisted living building can house up to 39 residents, “which is very small for assisted living,” said Hitchcox. “It’s definitely a homelike atmosphere.” Residents there are at various levels of care, some even independent and driving.

Next door is memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The secure residence can house up to 18 residents and carries the homelike feel of the assisted living building. It even has a large, secure outdoor area.

“I think there’s something to be said for being here 20 years,” said Hitchcox. “I think being an established place in the community really says something. So many of our residents come from Halls or a five-mile radius, and so many people who live in this community more than likely have someone they know who has come and lived here.”

White said she got a job at Elmcroft of Halls “to make sure that behind the scenes was fantastic” before her grandmother, Mary Jean McManus, moved in. White drove the bus, worked as activities assistant, and is now business office coordinator. Her grandfather, Richard Paylor, is also a resident.

“I really believe in assisted living,” she said.

“I think that people need to realize that it’s a fun environment, a very social environment,” said Hitchcox. “We want our residents and their families to come here and enjoy their lives because they want to have those social interactions. It’s not a bad thing to move here. It’s a fun thing.”